title: Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) of breast lesions: sensitivity and specificity of detection of primary breast cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the sensitivity and specificity of digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) in a series of women who underwent surgical excision or core biopsy of benign and malignant breast lesions presenting through the symptomatic clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  DITI was evaluated in 63 symptomatic patients attending a one-stop diagnostic breast clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thermography had 90 true-negative, 16 false-positive, 15 false-negative and 5 true-positive results. The sensitivity was 25%, specificity 85%, positive predictive value 24%, and negative predictive value 86%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite being non-invasive and painless, because of the low sensitivity for breast cancer, DITI is not indicated for the primary evaluation of symptomatic patients nor should it be used on a routine basis as a screening test for breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery and Radiology, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kontos
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fentiman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013817:Thermography / Q000379:methods*